Even as trade friction deepens, India and the United States are set to continue military cooperation. Along with Japan and Australia, the two countries will participate in the annual Malabar maritime exercise in November 2025, underscoring the strategic weight of the Quad grouping in the Indo-Pacific.
Tensions between New Delhi and Washington have been on the rise ever since US President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on India. Further fuel was added to the fire when he doubled it to 50%, citing New Delhi’s oil purchase from Russia.
Despite Trump’s tariff tantrums, India seems to prioritizing military cooperation over trade tensions and the annual Quad naval exercise is learnt to be on schedule. The Malabar series of exercises began as an annual bilateral naval exercise between India and the US in 1992. Japan joined the Naval Exercises in 2015 and Australia in 2020.
Malabar Naval Exercise 2025: Where will it be held this year?
The 2025 edition of Malabar will be hosted by the US at Guam, a key American military outpost in the western Pacific, located about 2,500 km east of the Philippines. A joint planning conference to finalize the scope, logistics, and operational schedule is expected in the coming weeks, The Tribune reported citing sources, who added that the exercise remains on track.
Malabar 2025 will be the fifth joint military drill between India and the United States of this year. While the road to India-US trade and diplomacy has not been smooth so far, the defence partnership seems to be managing the right balance.
Why is Malabar seen as ‘anti-China’?
Though officially focused on interoperability and maritime security, Malabar is often described by Beijing as an “anti-China” drill. The perception stems from the exercise being linked with the Quad alliance – India, the US, Japan, and Australia – all of whom share concerns over China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.
What is the state of India-US ties?
Bilateral relations are currently strained. US President Donald Trump recently imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India, one of the steepest worldwide. Half of this tariff is punitive, in response to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil, while the other half reflects stalled trade negotiations. Reports also suggest that Trump may skip the upcoming Quad leaders’ summit in India, though New Delhi has not commented officially.
How has Malabar evolved over the years?
Launched in 1992 as a bilateral drill between the Indian Navy and the US Navy, Malabar has since grown into a major four-nation maritime exercise. The 2024 edition, hosted by India, was described by the Ministry of Defence as the most comprehensive yet, combining harbour and sea phases with complex operational scenarios.
All four participants operate similar maritime surveillance aircraft capable of anti-submarine warfare, enabling them to share a common operational picture of the seas. Shared platforms across their navies enhance communication, coordination, and rapid deployment capabilities.
Malabar 2025: What will be this year’s focus areas?
The Guam edition of the Malabar Naval Exercise 2025 is expected to mirror last year’s tempo, including anti-submarine warfare, surface combat, air defence drills, and special operations coordination. The exercises will test interoperability across surface, sub-surface, and aerial domains.